The tin-glazed earthenware pottery known as majolica was popular in Italy, and introduced into the Netherlands by Italian potters who had emigrated to Antwerp. In the early 17th century, the Dutch East India Company had a thriving trade in Chinese Export Pottery, which was as popular in Holland as the rest of Europe. The potters of Delft had adapted the popular blue and white style of the Chinese porcelains for their own earthenware versions. The early blue and white delft pieces featured popular Asian motifs, many of which were copied from the ware produced in China during the reign of Emperor Wanli (1573-1619), and the traditional decorations of the pottery imported from 1620-1644, but before long, Dutch artists had replaced scenes of the Orient with local themes in the form of landscapes, flowers, boats, and windmills.

The two-colour blue and white scheme that has come to be known as Delftware is characterized by a lightweight, relatively thin body of earthenware (which is referred to as porcelain, though it is actually earthenware). The overglaze is white and so thick that it has a tendency to bubble during firing. Delft pieces are characterized by these tiny popped glaze bubbles that are often found on the undersides and backs of the ware.

At the end of the 17th century Delft faience became increasingly popular in the Netherlands, The Delft potteries were commissioned by Willem III and his court to make impressive tulip vases and other imposing pieces. The King of England ordered pieces of Delftware to decorate the palaces in his kingdom. Delftware became popular and was widely exported in Europe and even reached China and Japan. Chinese and Japanese potters made porcelain versions of Delftware for export to Europe.